Wood cut vs wood engraving …

I began my printing journey while I was working as a rare book cataloguing assistant in Special Collections at Reading University Library. Amongst the collections there are endless fine examples of early printed works dating back to 16^th century.  However, it was a contemporary collection that I enjoyed more, in particular the work of the late Peter Hay a local artist and activist, his works with engraved erasers are gems and tell stories of local history and events to delight and enlighten.

I began to experiment myself with erasers and didn’t quite make the grade, but wood engraving and lino cut became a more serious pastime until I retired.

During this time, I visited Brazil regularly to visit my daughter and was able to visit printing studios and learn wood cutting. Unlike wood engraving where the block used are much smaller and cut across the grain and the tools and technique quite different and therefore more akin to lino cutting.  Furthermore, in Brazil wood cut illustration is prevalent on the street it is a time-honoured tradition. The wood used is not fancy pants Japanese plywood but solid reclaimed wood old doors, shelves and building offcuts. No expensive finely honed tools, but those made from the spokes of broken umbrellas, again another product of the environment. Yet the fine work is produced in little print studios and serves the local community in the streets of Rio beside the coffee bars, restaurants, supermarkets, department stores not far from the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema with old printing presses the type you might see in museums and picture books that are as busy as any other industry making books and booklets to sell on the street hanging on string for a few pence. … long story to explain that I have decided to ignite that brief learning experience and to make booklets maybe not traditionally Brazilian, but I will find my own style with wood from skips until then plywood is good to practice on.